Ö Eishockey Liga to begin its third season at the start of October

Two years ago, the Ö Eishockey Liga added the missing piece to Austrian ice hockey.

The aim was to establish another nationwide Austrian league below the win2day ICE Hockey League and the Alps Hockey League, where young players can be introduced to the ICE Hockey League and professional ice hockey with the support of experienced players.

The second season, featuring 18 teams from six federal states (Styria, Carinthia, Upper Austria, Vienna, Tyrol and Vorarlberg), also offered everything ice hockey fans in Austria could wish for: attractive, high-scoring and, in the inter-regional playoffs, at times highly emotional games that drew a rush of fans to the third-highest league. Even during the regular season, many ice hockey fans flocked to the arenas, particularly for regional derbies in the west.

In the end, ESC SoccerZone Steindorf prevailed over SC Samina Hohenems 1974 by an aggregate score of 9:7 and were crowned champions of the Ö Eishockey Liga 2022/2023. The second leg was played in front of an ÖEL record crowd of 2.122 fans at the Herrenriedstadion in Hohenems.

Steindorf will not be able to defend their title, as the Carinthian clubs will not take part in 2023/2024, meaning there will be no South Division next season.

"The Ö Eishockey Liga has established itself within the domestic ice hockey scene in a very short time and has developed into a permanent fixture. The strong regional roots of the clubs, players and officials ensure a high level of fan engagement. Numerous traditional derbies and match-ups from the past offer an additional nostalgic element that is being revived by the Ö Eishockey Liga. Given the league's positive development, we regret the withdrawal of one of the strongest regional associations. Although the work carried out in the league, from organisation and implementation through to public relations, is considered highly professional, it appears that the clubs' financial considerations were the main factor behind the KEHV's decision. We will do everything we can to further improve the framework conditions for this valuable league, sponsorship, marketing, streaming offerings and much more, and are confident of bringing the Carinthian clubs back on board soon. Discussions to this effect are already under way. Fortunately, we have noticed great interest in participating in the ÖEL from many regions and clubs, which makes us very optimistic about the future," explains ÖEHV President Klaus Hartmann.

"The final series in particular was perfect promotion for Austrian ice hockey. The outstanding atmosphere, the many fans in attendance and the standard on the ice demonstrate the ÖEL's high standing," adds Peter Schweda, ÖEHV competition operations.

The West Division gets under way on 7th October 2023

The ÖEL begins its new season with the first round in the West Division on Saturday, 7th October 2023. One week later, on 14th October 2023, the East Division will also get under way. In its third year, the format in the West and East Divisions, each with six teams in Phase 1, will remain unchanged. The Dornbirner Eishockeyclub joins the West Division, replacing HC Innsbruck II.

As in the previous season, the West Division will play two home-and-away rounds, resulting in 20 games per team. The East Division will play 1,5 home-and-away rounds, with each team playing 15 games.

Following Phase 1, there will once again be an inter-regional playoff. New in the coming season will be the playoff pick, which is intended to provide additional excitement. The highest-ranked team in each of the West and East Divisions may choose their quarter-final opponent from the team placed third or fourth in the other division.

Beginning with the quarter-finals, the playoff will again be played in the Champions Hockey League format, with home and away legs, with the teams progressing determined by the aggregate score after two games. The new Ö Eishockey Liga champion will be decided on 16th March 2024. The exact schedule will be published by the ÖEHV as soon as it has been finalised.

Ö Eishockey Liga entry list 2023/2024

East Division | 6 teams

ATSE Graz Hockey

Eishockeyverein Zeltweg Murtal Lions

Kapfenberger SV Eishockeyclub

UEHV „RAUCH Technology“ Sharks Gmunden

Wiener Eislauf Verein

UHT DUKES Graz

Western Division | 6 teams

Dornbirner Eishockeyclub

Eishockeyclub Crocodiles Kundl

Hockey Club Kufstein

SC Samina Hohenems 1974

VEU Feldkirch

WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins